A home filled with books — especially when you look at the titles — makes a statement about the readers who live there. But the things holding those books up make another statement - about your home decor taste.  JustBookends is an intriguing site which carries more than 250 types of bookends, far more than you’d find at your local bookshop. One of their best-sellers are the triangle black marble bookends, two thick triangles of dark swirled marble, perfect for holding up large or heavy books (a set is $50, and the shipping, which is on special now, is $7). Another popular choice at Just Bookends is the splashing dolphin set, bronze sculptures of dolphins leaping joyfully out of the water ($84). Another nautically themed choice is the brass ocean wave lighthouse pair of bookends; each one depicts a lighthouse with water lapping at its base. If you’re looking for a gift for a music teacher, consider a set of piano bookends($38, pictured). Made from cast resin, they’ll look nice on a shelf near the real piano. For little girls, radiantly colored butterfly bookends are a standout choice ($35); little boys might prefer the wooden train set , with the engine on one side and the train cars on the other ($35). Barnes & Noble has a classy selection of bookends, including these gleaming red heart-shaped bookends from Alabastri Duchessi Italy ($63), which could be given along with a book of love poems for a romantic gift. Alabastri Duchessi also makes fantastic green malachite alabaster eggs ($63 for the set), which would look perfect in a contemporary design setting. An amusing choice for children or adults are these playful brass polar bear bookends ($45). If you have two photos you’d like to display on your bookcase, order a set of these Pottery Barn photo bookends ($34), which come in black, espresso (brown) or white; each one holds a 3- by 4-inch photo.

Each summer for six years and counting, carelessly groomed, long-haired overweight men in frumpy bathrobes and well-coiffed women dressed as spear-carrying She-Visigoths gather in Louisville, Ky. to bowl and sip White Russians – and what-have-you – in celebration of the prolifically inventive Coen brothers’ (Fargo, Raising Arizona) movie The The Big Lebowski. The film, which came out in 1998, was the first cult film of the internet age, according to the author of I’m a Lebowski, You’re a Lebowski: Life, The Big Lebowski and What-Have-You ($13.72) and this article which will fill you in on all-things-Dude and why repeating the repetitive phrases in the film is part of the fun. If you haven’t met him already: The Dude. If you can’t make it to any of the Big Lebowski festivals this summer – voted one of the Best Summer Road Trips for 2008 by FHM and Maxim – get in the spirit by creating your own celebration. First, get the movie ($20), a recipe for White Russians and a rug that really ties the room together – I like the prices of these in the Andy Warhol series. You must have a Dude Abides T-shirt ($15) and take a look at these posters. Meet other Dudists at dudeism.com, which promotes self-help materials: All I Really Need to Know I Learned Watching The Big Lebowski and The Five People You Bowl With in Heaven. To find the best bowling ball for you, read over these reviews. Grab a ball Walter would love, the Purple Pearl, which one reviewer described as “not over aggressive,” or the Ultimate Inferno ($105) , described as the “most forgiving ball I ever owned.” When you are ready to roll, grab this Smiley Faces bowling bag (on sale $17) and be sure to have snake oil ($5 for 4 oz.) on hand. Of course, if you are a true Dude, you will do none of this – am I wrong?

You don’t have to be young and afraid of the dark to appreciate the glow of a nightlight. They help us quietly navigate rooms and hallways when others are sleeping and let us see what’s ahead in empty rooms. Animal-themed lights are great for little ones and we love these Kozy lights small fry teddy bears ($9) because they are multifunctional, serving as stuffed animal and nightlight. Featured in Parents Magazine, these soft friends have tummies that gradually change colors. Twilight turtle’s glow also changes color as he sits on the floor, projecting a complete starry night sky onto the walls and ceiling of a dark room ($34). This multi-award winning nightlight also educates by including eight actual constellations, including The Big Dipper, in its star pattern. Buy it along with a twilight ladybug and get both for $65. We have to recommend Lumilove’s adorable animal nightlights (pictured) for the little ones. These are from the United Kingdom (about $50 each), and they’re soft, with flexible arms and legs, tummies that glow without becoming hot to the touch and are powered by low-energy LEDs. Choose from kitten, puppy, panda, elephant and rabbit designs. For the grown-ups, the selection of nightlights at Rosenberry Rooms will turn you on if you appreciate a “shabby chic” or retro look. These beauties are made to order in fabrics and colors you’ll adore, which means they take a few weeks to arrive. Check out the black western nightlight ($30) and the pink & green stripes with pink pom pom trim nightlight ($36) to get an idea of this company’s range. At Funky Lights, the variety is good and the look folksy. Example: the yellow moon night light ($40), a charming drawing housed in a hand-textured and colored copper frame. Finally, if great paintings are your thing, grab Van Gogh’s “Starry Night” nightlight ($25 from The Porcelain Garden Enlightened Art) or one of the other masterpieces turned into a teeny light.

Is it global warming, early onset of hot flashes or is it just too hot in here? Summer time and the living is not so easy, especially if you’re trying to save energy by not blasting the A.C. all night, and it’s hotter than July and it’s just June. What can you do — kick the covers off the bed? You can do that, but for appearances’ sake, consider getting lightweight bedding made for hot summer nights, including this cool summer quilt from Italy in soft white or creamy yellow cotton sateen ($645 queen or $685 king). This Eileen Fisher all-seasons silk comforter comes in calming colors rosewater, pear, clay, bone and soft white ($458-$628). Consider a coverlet, a thin quilt usually made of soft cotton, like this one by Eileen Fisher in tonal solid colors with textual allure ($178-$228). The Adagio matelassé coverlet features graceful swirls and is made of pure combed cotton (on sale $94 king only). Think a duvet is only for winter time? Read this article on what to look for when picking out a summer duvet, like this Natura Classic lightweight duvet ($130-$230). It’s hypoallergenic, resistant to dust mites and temperature regulating. Give your bed a summer makeover for less than $100 at Pottery Barn, where several duvet covers in summery prints are on sale, including this cherry Nora duvet ($60 or $80). This batik print duvet cover has a timeless quality ($190 to $290) . This ethnic-flavored embroidered duvet (pictured) pops with tangy orange color ($130 to $180). For a polished look, keep it simple with this hotel-style duvet (on sale for $150, queen or king). On the other hand, if you want a contemporary lofty look, this Orb Series duvet ($90 or $100) or the Amenity Willow organic duvet ($330) in cream and serene sienna might suit you.

Serving trays are not just for butlers carrying silver spoons or grandma’s turkey during the holidays — and you don’t have to wait until your bridal shower to get one that’s showy. Transform a simple moment into a gracious one by using this rectangular Towle Silversmiths tray ($50) to serve your guests iced tea on a hot summer day. Use this hand-hammered copper tray ($169) to serve wine for two. Trays can also be used as decorative accent pieces that express your personality and tastes. Besides, who’d want to put a bowl of popcorn on top of the Bianca Governess (pictured) or Bernardo Conquistador tray, inspired by archival imagery and created by a family in Southern France ($175 each)? And you wouldn’t want to place anything on this pricey limited-edition tray made of exotic zebra wood, quilted birdseye maple, wenge and African mahogany ($1,680). This wooden tray features a reproduction of John Ross Key’s 1914 oil painting of the North Lawn of the White House, with lush red and pink peonies in full bloom ($38). This lacquered tray ($110) features a painting of Singapore’s famed Esplanade from the collection of the National Archives of Singapore. The “Heart Tray” ($95) is a piece of art. It is made of fused iridized glass and is signed by the artist, and though it looks delicate, it is food safe. This retro tray ($50) would work propped up on a midcentury dining buffet. This vintage piece ($18) is suitable for hanging on the wall, as is this charming antique bar tray ($25). Consider these collectibles: the Coca-Cola 1953 Menu Girl serving tray ($39), the Century Bottle Beer tip tray ($385)and this 1926 serving tray ($150).

In less than ten years, CowParade fever has spread worldwide. Arguably the largest public art event in the world, CowParade has been staged since 1999 in more than 50 cities, including New York, London, Tokyo, Mexico City and Paris. The cows feature themes and artwork specific to the host city. After the cows are displayed in public places – such as train stations, parks – they are herded up and taken to auction. A substantial portion of the proceeds are donated to charity. Last month, Chinese officials put out a call for artists proposals for 2009 CowParade Taipei. You could even call CowParade a social mooovement for change. If you want to own a piece of this phenomenon, visit the CowParade store, a virtual mooseum where you can purchase ceramic figurine replicas of cows from official CowParade events. They can work as home décor accent pieces, gifts or just for fun. Check out Cowputer Girl ($40) featured in CowParade Instanbul 2007, Moo Moo in a Tu Tu ($23) from CowParade Las Vegas 2002 and Alphadite, Goddess of Shopping, from CowParade Manchester, England, 2004 ($27, pictured). The kitchen collection features 100% De Vaca ($23). Vaca De La Independencia ($27) would make a fetching centerpiece on your Fourth of July table. The Moo Potter ($112) is a large-scale piece of whimsical folk art that you could display in a den or sunroom. The cow is covered in hand-painted tea pots, cups and plates — she even wears tea cup earrings. For the art lover, the Moogritte ($66). For martial arts enthusiasts, Sam-Moo-Rai ($36). Create your own cow art with this set ($19). This affiliated site (scroll down) carries some of the most amooosing figurines, including Citizen Kow (Harrisburg, Penn.), Cowlumbus (Barcelona), Bovina at the Ice Cowpades (Houston), Cowbunga, Dude (Denver) and Cowbot (Boston).